New Delhi: Demand for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning specialists in the country are expected to see a 60% rise by 2018 due to increasing adoption of automation, says KellyOCG India.

According to Francis Padamadan, country director, Kelly Outsourcing & Consulting Group India, a talent management solutions provider, although AI and machine adoption is on the rise in India, there is negligible talent with experience in technologies like deep learning and neutral networks.

Accordingly, the average salary of AI professionals in India across industries are quite attractive. Giving details Padamadan said, a 2-4 years experience commands a salary of ₹ 5-20 lacs per annum, while for 4-8 years it is ₹ 0-50 lacs per annum and for 8-15 years it is ₹ 0 lacs to ₹ 1 crore per annum.

Moreover, HR managers and talent acquisition professionals feel that because of AI their roles will evolve into broader and more strategic productivity management roles. As there is significant talent crunch in the AI space, “recruiters who can speed up their hiring process using AI automation tools will win the war for talent in the future," Padamadan said.

The top five locations to find AI and machine learning talent is Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad. “In the AI space world over, big companies are focusing on acquihiring to get the best talent on board," he said.

Acquihiring is a process wherein a company is acquired primarily for recruiting its staff, rather than for its products or services.

KellyOCG sees an increase in demand for AI and machine learning talent from industries like IT, ecommerce, BFSI, healthcare, retail and manufacturing.